Training – the essence of transformation

In the words of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company: “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” The flavour and fragrance industry in South Africa is a relatively small one, with a limited pool of personnel which moves around within the industry. Training is key in retaining employees and keeping them productive and engaged, writes Sharon Bolel, assistant executive director, SAAFFI.

In conversation with some of the industry’s people, training opportunities within a company are often the “carrot” that attracts excellent staff.

The very specific nature of the skills-set required in the flavour and fragrance industry means that suitable courses are generally unavailable as generic training.

SAAFFI has identified an important objective: “to encourage the dissemination of information and knowledge about the flavour and fragrance industry through seminars, workshops and information sessions”.

Some of the training initiatives of the association are:

• Precise Short Training Courses (PSTCs), which give attendees a good overview of a specific topic and are presented by an expert in the respective field. Interaction between the attendees and trainer is encouraged and facilitated. PSTCs also offer an inexpensive training option.

• The Short Course in Flavours & Fragrances is a concise yet comprehensive course comprising 12 lectures and three hands-on practical sessions, organised in conjunction with the School of Chemistry at Wits University. The course offers an overview of the intriguing world of flavour and fragrance. It is offered to delegates from industry and to second year applied chemistry students at Wits.

The 2021 short course was generously sponsored by Shimadzu SA. Mark Pieterse of Shimadzu SA commented: “We are thrilled to support this course which we view as an excellent starting point for people wanting a career in the flavour, fragrance or allied industries.”

Numeracy courses to upskill professionals

Numeracy in South Africa has been highlighted as an area of concern, needing proactive change-management. How much more so for those working with numbers, who are expected to provide accurate information.

SAAFFI’s numeracy courses facilitate the up-skilling of companies’ most valuable assets, their employees. Basic, intermediate and advanced options are available to suit the knowledge level of the participants. These courses are created for industry staff, who often struggle with aspects of numeracy including weighing, using a calculator, percentages, basic financial calculations etc.

Customised training in other relevant topics can be arranged for SAAFFI member companies on almost any topic of their choice. The association boasts a wide array of trainers and training material, and live and online options are available.

Actively making a change

In my own long and interesting career, I benefitted most from training which was focused and short. I loved interacting with trainers and was attracted to career opportunities within companies that prioritised training. Affordability was always important for me, and I was often unable to find the specific training I needed in mainstream education.

SAAFFI is making a huge difference with its training initiatives, not only in our industry, but in a much wider world

When planning the SAAFFI training initiatives I tried to bear these factors in mind and offer programmes that would have attracted me as an engaged, career-minded professional. My passion stems from the fact that SAAFFI is making a huge difference with its training initiatives, not only in our industry, but in a much wider world impacted by FMCG products containing flavours and fragrances.

In the words of our beloved, late President Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I believe that SAAFFI is doing more than its share towards a goal of a changed country and world.

SAAFFI, the South African Association of the Flavour & Fragrance Industry, is making a concerted effort to ensure that this bleak scenario is avoided in its industry sector! For more details, contact events@saaffi.co.za. •